BLATTER PAYS TRIBUTE TO 'TRUE GREAT'

In a letter to the Irish Football Association, Mr Blatter said: “I would like to express my deepest condolences for the loss of one of the true greats of sports journalism and a personal friend of mine, Dr Malcolm Brodie.

“Quality sports reporting is essential to sports organisations such as FIFA thanks to its ability to transmit all the colour and emotions of major competitions such as the FIFA World Cup to the fans back home.

“There was none better at this than Malcolm, who covered an incredible 14 FIFA World Cups and whose contribution to the sport was deservedly recognised with the bestowal of the FIFA Jules Rimet Award on him in FIFA’s centennial year of 2004.

“On behalf of the members of the international football community, I should be extremely grateful if you could extend our deepest condolences to Malcolm’s family, friends and loved ones.

“May his legend continue to inspire today’s sports reporters to promote our game and its spirit with the same passion and commitment that he did.”

Windsor Park, Belfast; February 2005 – the then IFA President Jim Boyce presents the Jules Rimet Centennial Trophy on behalf of FIFA President Sepp Blatter to Dr Malcolm Brodie MBE, former Belfast Telegraph Sports Editor, in recognition of covering 13 World Cup Finals (1954-2002) and his contribution to Football Journalism. Malcolm went on to cover a total of 14 World Cup Finals.